V1-Launch Base

At the end of World War II, the Nazis came up with a new ultramodern weapon: the V1. This flying bomb was a "retaliation weapon" with which the Germans wanted to take revenge on the English population. From launch sites in West Flanders and Northern France, they primarily aimed to bombard London with these hellish weapons. Due to the perfect camouflage of the Vrijbos, construction of such a launch site also began in Houthulst. Under the leadership of SS members from the First Construction Brigade, undernourished Russian prisoners of war worked on building this complex. Despite the camouflage, the resistance was aware of the German plans. However, they waited as long as possible to pass this information on to London. An Allied bombing would have caused a lot of damage and casualties in the center of Houthulst, which is nearby. Fortunately, the base was never completed, and Houthulst was liberated in time by the Canadians. What remains now is the concrete launch platform.

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden